A SEAT AT THE TABLE

Thriving in a male-dominated field takes more than just showing up - it requires grit, strategy, and a refusal to play by outdated rules.

- Syed Zulfadhli

A trailblazer in nanotechnology and biomedical research, Professor Jackie Ying has transformed industries and advanced modern medicine with her innovations. Some of her most notable inventions include a glucose-sensitive insulin delivery system, which revolutionised diabetes treatment, and nanoencapsulation technology, which enhances the efficacy of drug delivery.

Her work has earned international acclaim, including the King Faisal Prize in Science – often regarded as the Nobel Prize in the Muslim world. In 2023, she was named Her World’s Woman of the Year. These honours highlight her pioneering contributions and enduring influence in science.

For Prof Ying, faith has played a defining role in shaping her leadership. She embraced Islam at 35 – a deeply personal decision that continues to guide her values.

Prof Ying explains that she sees scientific innovation as a means of contributing to society – aligning with the Islamic values of seeking knowledge and improving lives. She adds that her faith also informs her leadership style, emphasising integrity, responsibility, and service to others.

LEADING A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY

Born in Taiwan and raised in Singapore, Prof Ying’s fascination with science led her to the US, where she earned her PhD at Princeton University before joining MIT as a professor. She had no idea she was making history.

“I was the first female Asian professor in engineering at MIT,” she shares. “It wasn’t something I actively thought about, but when I stepped into the lecture hall and couldn’t reach half the blackboard, I realised the space wasn’t built for someone like me.”